Waivers

In general, waivers are a type of aid that "waives" a portion of a student's institutional
charges. As such, they can only be applied directly to the charges they are
intended to waive and not other portions of the student's cost of attendance.
Waivers usually do not need paid back.

The waiver may only be utilized for up to eight undergraduate semesters while seeking
a first bachelor’s degree. There are separate requirements to be considered for
graduate eligibility which can be found
here at the HSTA website.

What should I do if I transfer schools?

Students transferring between in-state institutions should contact the financial
aid office at their new school
and the HSTA college coordinator at
kkasten@hsc.wvu.edu.

What if I didn’t receive my HSTA waiver for this semester?

Possible reasons include:

You have changed schools and did not inform the appropriate individuals
(please see transfer information above).

Consideration for the Purple Heart waiver is for students who have received the Medal
of Honor or a Purple Heart Medal.

A state institution will waive undergraduate tuition and mandatory fee charges for
a state resident that has been honorably discharged from any branch of the United
States armed forces if that resident:

(1) Has received the Medal of Honor or a Purple Heart Medal. This waiver is for the
amount of tuition and mandatory fee charges that exceeds the total amount of any
state and federal education benefits, grants or scholarships received by the resident;

OR

(2) Has received the Medal of Honor or a Purple Heart Medal and sustained wounds
during military combat that resulted in either a permanent disability or a loss
of limb. This waiver is for the amount of tuition and mandatory fee charges that
exceeds state and federal education benefits, grants or scholarships received by
the resident that are designated solely for tuition and mandatory fees.

The waiver may only be utilized for up to eight undergraduate semesters.

Please note that waivers may impact other financial aid eligibility as financial
aid cannot exceed the cost of attendance.

West Virginia Foster Care Tuition Waiver

Consideration for the WV Foster Care tuition waiver is only available to students
who:

Graduated from high school or passed the TASC examination while in the legal custody
of the State Department of Health and Human Resources (DHHR);

Were in family foster care or residential care for at least one year immediately
preceding high school graduation or passing the TASC examination;

Apply for the waiver within two years of graduation from high school or passing
the TASC examination;

Have been accepted to a West Virginia public institution of higher education AND
apply for other student financial aid, other than student loans, in compliance
with federal financial aid rules, including the federal Pell Grant.

To apply for the waiver:

Students must provide the Financial Aid Office with a letter from the State Department
of Health and Human Resources on DHHR letterhead as proof that the student was
in foster/residential care placement one year prior to graduation/TASC completion.
This letter must be signed by the CSM and/or child’s worker.

Graduate or Professional Waivers

Graduate Tuition Waiver

Waivers of university tuition may be provided for graduate students with assistantships
and fellowships, for graduate students who are awarded merit waivers, and for eligible
West Virginia University employees.

These waivers cover university tuition only and do not apply to college tuition
or university fees.

The waiver may only be utilized for up to eight undergraduate semesters while seeking
a first bachelor’s degree. There are separate requirements to be considered for
graduate eligibility which can be found
here at the HSTA website.

What should I do if I transfer schools?

Students transferring between in-state institutions should contact the financial
aid office at their new school
and the HSTA college coordinator at
kkasten@hsc.wvu.edu.

What if I didn’t receive my HSTA waiver for this semester?

Possible reasons include:

You have changed schools and did not inform the appropriate individuals
(please see transfer information above).